Steve Smith Calls out Referee Dan Ferrell After Loss to Cardinals

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith had four catches for 60 yards on 10 targets in Week 5's 22-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and he blamed the team's defeat at least in part on official Dan Ferrell.

Smith was furious on Monday in discussing Ferrell's officiating, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer:

Perhaps it will be Smith receiving a check of his own from the league office for a fine for these comments. And that's fine with Smith:

When asked what was specifically wrong with the officiating, Smith noted that the Cardinals were covering with far too much physicality and weren't being whistled for it:

Arizona was called for three penalties for 30 yards for the game, while Carolina suffered nine penalties for 79 yards.

The 34-year-old veteran seems to be venting frustration for the NFL's 30th-ranked passing offense that has been inconsistent and turned it over four times against the Cardinals. Despite being quarterbacked by talented former No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton, the Panthers can't seem to get on track to a possible playoff push.

It seemed Carolina had generated some momentum after a 38-0 win over the New York Giants in Week 3 and a bye week preceding the trip to Arizona, but it was all usurped in University of Phoenix Stadium.

Smith is averaging just 11.3 yards per catch for the 1-3 Panthers after averaging 17.6 and 16.1 respectively in his first two seasons playing with Newton.

Carolina travels to Minnesota to take on the struggling Vikings in Week 6.